Review: ND Fader Mark II by Light Craft Workshop

[RIMSKY7]

Remember that the image will be way softer anyway with the lens open at f1.4. So it's not necessarily the fault of the ND filter.

[motleypixel]

@RIMSKY7 >>Remember that the image will be way softer anyway with the lens open at f1.4. true >>So it's not necessarily the fault of the ND filter. false, I tested at wide open aperture (which was f/4 with my lens) and at f/8 with and w/o the fader, and the fader shot was always softer.

[JseanSSent]

Im aware of this degrading quality and sharpness at the telephoto range but for video i usually keep it under 70mm. Is there any noticable issues in this range??? Lots of reviews are back and forth and it makes me think some are ordering knock offs. Since yours is not i would appreciate the reply. Ive already replaced the idea with seperate nd filters from hoya and b+w but still wonder if this thing is worth it do to the convenience and no def reviews saying its good or not.

[cattaraugus41]

I love this filter ! It works so well for Canon 5D Mark II video - I couldn't believe the quality and it was worth every day I waited for it to arrive ! Thanks for the great video post !

[aesthe2k]

Very delay for the delivery and non professional..don't recommend to buy

[cattaraugus41]

Good video - and for the price, it's well worth the flexibility it can give even if it does soften a tad - which is what we all want any how, right ??!! Motleypixel, have you used the biGeye LCD viewfinder from Light Craft Workshop with the 5D?

[infernovideo]

Wow the image looks way softer with the ND, are you happy with the softening or is it degrading the image? Would like to know as it's a little hard to tell with the youtube compression. Great work thanks for the comparison.

[motleypixel]

@infernovideo playback at 1920X1080 30fps looks really good...may be a little softer but barely noticeable to me anyway. Now I tested with still images and it's definitively a hug IQ hit...much softer than w/o the filter.

[infernovideo]

@motleypixel Thanks for the quick reply. I also saw the photo crop on your blog and I can see how much it softens the still image. In the video above I was looking at the stubble on your beard and could see it loose a fair amount of detail. At first I thought this was a bad thing but sometimes the video on these DSLR's is almost to crisp and video like. Add a little softness to the image and and maybe it creates a more film like feel...

[motleypixel]

@infernovideo Ahhh...interesting...I just watch again and see what you mean. Well, it does soften in motion at 1920X1080 but as you suggest it may add a film-like quality. Great tool to have in your bag if you want to shoot shallow in lots of light.

[xexodusx]

why does everything have to come from china !

[motleypixel]

@xexodusx because they have economies of scale (actually more and more very good skilled labor and capitol to pump out some great stuff these days).

[AlphaSphere]

@xexodusx Because you, like everybody else, want everything to be as cheap as possible. If you are willing to pay more for better quality you can do that 9 out of ten times as well.

[Aimahda]

@xexodusx america - think

china - think & make

[jmbeventphotography]

@xexodusx One reason and and reason only. WAGE cost. Wages in the USA vs Wages in China. The USA cannot compete.

[hotgypsylips]

are you happy with it? affect the quality of your lens?

[motleypixel]

@hotgypsylips For the utility if gives me to shoot wide-open outdoors or in really bright light, yes, as for the build quality...all is good wte that the markings are starting to rub off in just a few months of use. Plus the IQ hit on photographic stills is too much. I would NEVER use it for stills...for video at 1920X1080 it's fine. I did test and reviewed it further on my website.

[hotgypsylips]

Great review mate! do the glass affect in anyway picture quality or crispiness f the lens you use? thanks

[motleypixel]

@deeps10 That lens uses 77mm filter threads.

[telemov]

Okay, I think I'm just about sold on this thing.

[andrenj1970]

I ordered mine form amazon, I hope it's pretty decent...red some reviews, is it multicoated? thx

[motleypixel]

Update: The indicator markings on mine are starting to wear off which isn't much of an issue, just thought I'd share it with you all.

[peterglasoe]

Thx, this was quite useful for me - ordering one myself.

[renatosamba]

nice review, thank you!

[rickjbradbury]

The reason its so thin on the outer ring is to help prevent vignetting which was found on the mk1. Good review thank you.

[motleypixel]

@rickjbradbury Thanks for the reply...I guess I'm not being clear enough...the depth or thickness is thinner which helps reduce/mitigate vignetting yet...it's the physical diameter of the outer ring that you turn...it's smaller than the park you screw into the lens, making it a littler harder to turn/grasp onto.

[baldurus1]

Now i feel bad for paying 60$ for a ND4 filter.

[dombower]

nice demonstration at the end there showing how it can really add to the shot!